@flabruce - you're getting ahead of me here, I was aware of Logicator and was going to have a go at it but haven't got there yet. It's diffciult to see how it could be easier than I have found it, but that's coming from a pre-knowledge of BASIC. I hope Max will allow me enough space to get to Logicator....

The PicAxe has an associated program called LOGICATOR that makes understanding and programming much easier. It allows identification the PIC being programed . Once it is identified you are able to select the configration of the pins for that device as inputs or outputs. Once these options are selected you can then graphically pick and place the procedures you need. You can run the simulator using some of the attached view screens for input /outputs, LCD display , variables et. to debug your program. When it's working on the simulator you can then download it to the PIC. This program will also convert the flowchart to BASIC and they are usually as short or shorter than if you do it the long way. It doesn't get much easier than this.

@adventures0 - sounds like you should have written this! I have found before that writing blogs like this, and maybe having some fixed goals in mind project-wise, is a GREAT way to learn. I am so impressed at the ease of use of the PICAXE and the wide range of sensors and peripherals which have purpose-made commands to simplify their use. It's going to be impossible to cover everything but I'm hoping to do a couple more blogs on them. Any suggestions on topics that you think would be good to cover would be very welcome.